Ear on TV: The week of February 18

Last week I got asked a few times what I thought of the Grammy's, and my answer disappointed some: I haven't watched the award show in years. I've got plenty of reasons to miss it (two sons in diapers, The Wire come to mind,) but for me it hasn't been worth the effort in years, and this years' only proved my point. And now, you can even catch all the best (relative) bits on the net, skipping all the cringe-worthy moments that fill up the rest of the lengthy broadcast. One moment that's been rehashed many times is Herbie Hancock's big upset win for best album, and this week he's appearing on both The View (Tuesday) and The Tonight Show Friday, no doubt to meet with some questions as to whether he thought he deserved it.

The 67-year old Hancock calls it a 'win for Jazz,' but is it really? The last Jazz album to win was Getz/Gilberto back in 1964, and that also was a sort of pop/jazz hybrid via Brazilian Bossa Nova -- but Corinne Bailey Rae is hardly Astrud Gilberto. Hancock's win for River: The Joni Letters, seems more like a lifetime achievement award to both him and the legendary Joni Mitchell, who's songs Hancock covers for the album. So we're aways from calling Jazz the comeback kid, if you ask me. It's a genre that's still going strong niche-wise, but I can't imagine it ever regaining the public's attention like it did back from 1955-1965, when it was the epicenter of all that was hip.

Speaking of hip, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings have worn out these hips with their last album 100 Days 100 Nights, and I anxiously await their appearance on Letterman tonight. To tie this back to the Grammys and Herbie Hancock, The Dap Kings served as Amy Winehouse' backup band during her tour here in the states, and would've backed her at the Grammys had she been allowed entry. But while Winehouse's version of soul is retro-chic, Sharon Jones is the real deal -- believe dat.

Elsewhere, don't miss Canadian rockers Black Mountain blowing some serious smoke on Conan's stage. Don't be afraid of all the hair.... like medical insurance, it's socialized up North, so everyone gets some. Not really, but shake it if you got it, eh?

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, February 18
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Wyclef Jean
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Jim Lauderdale
Tuesday, February 19
ABC: The View: Herbie Hancock
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ray Davies
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Andre 3000
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Hives
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Raheem Devaughn
Wednesday, February 20
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Foo Fighters
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Ziggy Marley
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: The Whigs
Thursday, February 21
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Steve Martin
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: John Fogerty
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Black Mountain
OVATION: Live From the Artist's Den: The Swell Season (Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Willie Nelson
Friday, February 22
RAVEHD: Later with Jools Holland: Paul Weller, Santana w/ Anthony Hamilton, Bettye LaVette, John Cale, Sheryl Crow, Sigur Ros
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Herbie Hancock
Saturday, February 23
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Carrie Underwood